The Interior Ministry announced the formation of a special committee to investigate the incident and a report is expected to be submitted by the end of this week.

“The investigation is going in full swing and the initial report is expected to be issued by the end of this week,” local Arabic-language Al Sharq newspaper reported today.

With serious concern being raised about the safety of gas tanks and cylinders used in eateries, especially those based in petrol station complexes, Qatari authorities are gearing up to launch inspection campaign at eateries across the country to ensure that they comply with the safety standards and requirements, the paper said.

The campaign will be launched soon, with participation of the Civil Defence Department, Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning and other departments, it said.

Earlier, preliminary investigations suggested a gas tank on the roof of the restaurant and gas cylinders on neighbouring roofs exploded, the Qatar News Agency had reported.

The blast was the second major incident in Qatar after a fire in Villaggio Mall killed 19 people, including 13 children in May 2012.